Pop star and cultural curator Dua Lipa has unveiled her lineup for the upcoming London Literature Festival at the Southbank Centre, featuring prominent literary figures such as Zadie Smith, Patti Smith, and Mustafa, according to the Southbank Centre. Running from 21 October to 1 November, the 19th annual festival brings together writers, poets, and thinkers through a programme shaped in collaboration with Lipa’s Service95 book club.
Star-Studded Conversations and Artistic Legacies
Lipa will sit down with Zadie Smith on 24 October to discuss her 2000 debut novel, White Teeth, which was published when Smith was just 24 years old, according to festival organizers. The conversation will focus on learning to live with an artistic legacy earned at a young age and how the novel’s characters might fare in modern Britain. The following night, Lipa will interview Patti Smith regarding her memoir, Bread of Angels, which chronicles her life from childhood through her marriage to Fred “Sonic” Smith and her eventual return to music following his death, as stated in the programme notes.
Did you know?
Dua Lipa’s curation of the London Literature Festival is part of the Southbank Centre’s 75th-anniversary celebrations. According to artistic director Mark Ball, Lipa’s “deep curiosity about the world” made her the ideal choice to help mark the milestone year.
Poetry, Memoir, and Global Perspectives
The 19-day cultural showcase extends beyond headline author interviews. According to the published schedule, the Sudanese Canadian poet and musician Mustafa will make an appearance, alongside Nobel peace laureate Nadia Murad, who will discuss her memoir, I Choose My Beginning. Additionally, a featured conversation will take place between Ta-Nehisi Coates and Tareq Baconi regarding Baconi’s new book on Palestine.
The wider schedule includes a translated fiction showcase, a poetry and music night featuring Kae Tempest, and Censorship Live!—a collaborative event with English PEN examining contemporary threats to free expression, according to event details.
Expanding Cultural Advocacy Through Literature
The festival curation builds on Lipa’s ongoing literary initiatives through her cultural platform, Service95, which launched a monthly book club in 2023, according to programme background. Last month, Lipa opened a permanent collection of 100 banned, censored, and challenged books inside the historic Livraria Lello bookshop located in Porto, Portugal.
According to Southbank Centre artistic director Mark Ball, Lipa was chosen to curate the milestone anniversary because of her commitment to championing reading and global literature. Last year’s festival was curated by musician Self Esteem, with prior years featuring high-profile headliners such as Ai Weiwei, Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai, Margaret Atwood, Philip Pullman, Tom Hanks, and Yulia Navalnaya, according to historical venue data.
Ticket Release Information and Schedule
The London Literature Festival runs from 21 October to 1 November, aiming to be part of the Southbank Centre’s broader efforts to reach a million people across the UK in 2026, which includes free family events and a national programme, according to organizers.
Tickets will become available to Southbank Centre members on 3 August, followed by Service95 members on 4 August, and the general public on 5 August, according to the box office announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the London Literature Festival take place?
The 19th annual festival runs from 21 October to 1 November at the Southbank Centre.
Who is curating the festival this year?
Pop star Dua Lipa is curating the programme in collaboration with her Service95 book club.
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets go on sale to Southbank Centre members on 3 August, Service95 members on 4 August, and the general public on 5 August.
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